When you need to know what something is — what plastic, metal, solution or why its breaking — we combine spectroscopy, chromatography, thermal analysis, and microscopy to build a complete picture of a material for identification. Our analyses support a wide range of applications, including unknown material identification, reverse engineering, material verification, contamination and failure investigations, and litigation support. Each engagement is scoped to the specific technical questions at hand, with methods selected to provide defensible, traceable conclusions.
Some of material ID toolkit includes:
Some of material ID toolkit includes:
- FTIR Spectroscopy (ASTM E1252) — identifies polymers, organic compounds, and many inorganic fillers by their infrared "fingerprint," with library matching against commercial polymer databases.
- X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) (ASTM E1621) — non-destructive elemental analysis that detects metals, alloys and inorganic constituents, useful for catching fillers, pigments, catalyst residues, and contaminants.
- Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) (ASTM E1131) — quantifies the composition of composites and filled polymers by separating moisture, volatiles, polymer/combustible content, and ash, and provides decomposition temperatures that help confirm material identity.
- Optical/Digital Microscopy — characterizes morphology, fiber dimensions and orientation, surface features, and processing artifacts; useful on its own and as context for the chemical data.
- Shore Hardness — rapid mechanical characterization of elastomers and rigid plastics that supports material grading and comparison.
- Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) — identifies each component from a solvent and compares against reference libraries (e.g., NIST)
- Gas Chromatography–Flame Ionization Detection (GC-FID) — separates volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds and quantifies them via flame ionization, providing a sensitive, broadly responsive measurement for hydrocarbons and other organics. Well suited to fuel and petroleum-product characterization, solvent analysis, and quantitative determination of organic constituents identified by complementary techniques.
Unknown Materials
The combination of a vast standard reference material library and a comprehensive array of analytical techniques makes Lab/Cor Materials the ideal laboratory to determine the composition of nearly any substance. We pride ourselves in our ability to rapidly analyze solid, liquid and gas samples and to conduct the research necessary to fully understand the benefits, uses and dangers of the materials in question.
Product Validation
If you are working on building a product from a new idea or if you have a current product that needs to be tested, Lab/Cor Materials offers honest, comprehensive analysis and consultation without compromising your intellectual property. We offer opportunities for clients to meet our scientists face-to-face to maximize mutual understanding of both the product goals as well as the analytical capabilities, tasks and results.
Private Testing Solutions
Suspect bad fuel as the cause of your vehicle engine failure? Found a strange substance in your house? Concerned about what your children or pets are playing with and consuming? Lab/Cor Materials offers economical testing options that can help solve your problem and ensure that you rest easy.
The combination of a vast standard reference material library and a comprehensive array of analytical techniques makes Lab/Cor Materials the ideal laboratory to determine the composition of nearly any substance. We pride ourselves in our ability to rapidly analyze solid, liquid and gas samples and to conduct the research necessary to fully understand the benefits, uses and dangers of the materials in question.
Product Validation
If you are working on building a product from a new idea or if you have a current product that needs to be tested, Lab/Cor Materials offers honest, comprehensive analysis and consultation without compromising your intellectual property. We offer opportunities for clients to meet our scientists face-to-face to maximize mutual understanding of both the product goals as well as the analytical capabilities, tasks and results.
Private Testing Solutions
Suspect bad fuel as the cause of your vehicle engine failure? Found a strange substance in your house? Concerned about what your children or pets are playing with and consuming? Lab/Cor Materials offers economical testing options that can help solve your problem and ensure that you rest easy.
